Gather and Stitch: Portugal — A Cultural Textile Retreat

August 10 - 17, 2019

Spend a week near Viana do Castelo, Portugal exploring the traditions of embroidery, weaving, and the clothing of the lavradeira, the local farm girl of the 1800s.

Embroider with a professional artisan, visit Porto and Ponte de Lima, meet a traditional weaver at her studio where she grows her linen from seed and a heritage-certified embroiderer in business making traditional and contemporary pieces for over 30 years. Finish the week with the annual Mordomias parade, part of the annual Romaria Senhora d’Agonia festival, a living ethnographic display of over 600 women in traditional costume walking through the streets.

We’ll balance day trips, studio visits, and hands-on workshops with daily embroidery and plenty of time at the house to stitch or work on a personal creative project (knitting, crochet, drawing, photography, writing, etc.) if you so choose. This is a time to experience Portuguese culture and textile traditions, create, and take a break from your normal pace of life.

Even if you’ve never picked up a needle and thread, you are welcome. Advanced embroiderers will enjoy learning different stitches and patterns specific to the traditional clothing of the region.

Mordomias Parade in Viana do Castelo, Portugal, part of the Romaria Sra. d'Agonia 2018. Over 600 women dressed in traditional clothing file through the streets.

Embroiderer at work on a traditional blouse near Viana do Castelo.

Guide Regina with Isilda at her embroidery studio.

Maria giving a demonstration at the festival in Viana do Castelo, August, 2018. We will visit her studio.

Crossing the bridge in Ponte de Lima, the first city of Portugal, established in 1125.

Join a small group of embroiderers and textile lovers for 7 nights in a renovated 1892 farmhouse with beautiful gardens, outside of Viana do Castelo.

Enjoy traditional food served at the farmhouse as well as meals out in Ponte de Lima, Porto, and Viana do Castelo. We’ll indulge in the delicious regional cuisine: seafood, fresh vegetables, cheese, bread, and wine.

Most days will include time stitching together. Embroidery and workshop materials will be provided. Feel free to bring your favorite supplies and a personal project in progress.

Optional workshops include palmitos (woven palm and paper ornaments) and natural dying fabric and thread with local plants.

Non-embroidering spouses or partners are welcome, too. The farm is a wonderful place to read, write, and relax in between meals and outings. A walking trail passes by the property and rental bikes are available.

Our farmhouse and gardens for the week near Viana do Castelo.

Group maximum: 12. Shared and single rooms are available. Each room has double bed(s) and its own bathroom. Bring a friend or we will pair you up with another guest. Invite your spouse or partner (ask me about a non-workshop participant discount) or enjoy a room to yourself. If you’d like to share a room with a friend or your partner, please indicate so on the registration form.